Despite slumping consumer spending and online competition, Europe's outlet centers are developing relatively steadily. According to the economic consultancy Ecostra, many locations are reporting increasing visitor numbers and sales, and significant vacancy rates are rare.
However, expansion has slowed considerably. Since the beginning of 2025, only the Designer Outlet Kraków has opened in Europe, initially offering around 12.000 square meters of retail space. Currently, approximately 20 new outlet centers are in the planning stages, seven of which are in Germany. In 2016, there were 62 projects planned across Europe.
Ecostra operates a total of 195 outlet centers with more than 3,2 million square meters of retail space. With 19 locations and approximately 275.000 square meters, Germany ranks fifth in Europe. Additional space could be created through approved expansions in Montabaur and Zweibrücken.
While new locations have become rare, investor interest continues to grow. In 2024, the transaction volume reached a record high of around €1,8 billion, a figure surpassed again in 2025. In the first half of 2026, outlet centers worth nearly €1 billion changed hands.
Recent transactions include the acquisition of Designer Outlet Berlin by the Frey Group and Designer Outlet Neumünster by the US investor TPG. According to Ecostra, successful outlet centers are increasingly seen as anchors of stability for real estate portfolios.
